Paper-folding machine.



Patented Dec. 3|; l90l.

D. |.-ECKEBSUN.

PAPER FOLDING MACHINE.

(Application filed Mar. 19, 1901.)

(No Model.)

, Nu.- 689,862. Patented Dec. 30, 190i.

D. l. ECKEBSON. PAPER FOLDING MACHINE. (A pplicntion filed Mar. 19,1901.) (No Modl.) 7 Sheets-Sheet 2.

No. 689,862. Patented Dec; 31, 190.

D. l. ECKERSON.-

PAF'ER FOLDING MACHINE.

(Applicgtion filedMar. 19, 1901.) (No Model.) 7'-She'ets Sheet 3.

I hwenfoz MQM m: nonms PETERS co. mru-mjrm, wunmc'rou, n. c.

7 Patented Dec. 3|, I901. D. I. EGKERSON.

PAPER FOLDING MACHINE.

(Application filed Mar. 19 I901.)

7 Sheets-Sheet 4.

(No Model.)

witnesses mils FETERS 00.. PmTo-umm. WASHINGTON, n or No. 689,862.Patented Dee. 3|, I90l.

D. I. EGKERSDN. f

PAPER FOLDING MACHINE.

(Application filed Mar. 19, 1901.) (H Modal.) 7 Shois-Sheet s.

@vihwooeo Patented Dec. 3|, 190i. D. l. ECK'ERSON'.

PAPER FOLDING MACHINE.

A lication filed Mar. 19, 1901.

7 Sheets-*Shee 7.-

(No Model.)

I ll |ll .llllllrplllll 1 I v 1 914; means rn'e nonms runs 00..Puo'mufnm wAsnmmu. n. c.

" UNITED STATES-PATENT OFFICE.

DAVID I. E-OKERSON, OF WORCESTER, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TOJULIAS T. I-IADSELL AND PORTER R. HADSELL, OF IVOROESTER, NEW YORK.

PAPER FOLDING l VIACHINE.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 689,862, dated December31, 1901.

7 Application filed March 19, 1901. Serial No. 51,901. (No model) T Milwh0m/ i m y OOTbOeWI/s' detail view showing the cam for vibrating the Beit known that I, DAVID I. ECKERSON, a folding-blade. Fig. 7 is anelevation showcitizen of the United States, and a resident ing thefeeding-in end of the machine. In l of Worcester, in the county ofOtsego and this view the feed-table is not shown for the StateofNewYork,have invented certain new sake of clearness. Fig. 8 is a longitudinal 55and useful Improvements in Machines for sectional view on the line 8 8of Fig. 1. Fig. Folding Paper, of which the following is a 9 is a detailview showing the housing for full, clear, and exact description, such aswill the bearings of the shafts of the grippingenable those skilled inthe art'to which it aprolls. Fig. 10 shows plan views of a sheet of 10pertains to make and use the same, reference paper as it appears duringthe several steps 60 being had to the accompanying drawings, in thefolding process. Fig. 11 shows the forming a part of this specification.shunt-table in conjunction with the gripping- This invention relates toimprovements in rolls for making the third fold. Fig. 12 is apaper-folding machines of thatclass in which sectional view on the line12 12 of Fig. 8.

the sheets are folded by being successively Fig. 13 is adetail sectionalview showing the 65 passed between gripping-rolls, into the bite ofcontroller interposed between the grippingwhich they are forced byvibratory blades. rolls and the table of the fourth folding It relatesmore particularly to such machines mechanism and the shunt table, theconin which the use of tapes is dispensed with. troller being inposition to divert the paper In machines of this character as ordinarilyto the table of the folding mechanism. Fig. 70 constructed acomparatively high rate of 14 is a similarview showing the controllerinspeed cannot be obtained principally owing a position to divert thepaper to the shuntto the construction and relative arrangement table.Fig. 15 is a plan view of the table and of the folding mechanisms, whichare such its adjuncts of the second folding mechanthatthe sheet inpassing from one folding ism. Figs. 16 and 17, respectively, are simi-75 mechanism to the succeeding one often lar views of the third andfourth folding leaves its proper path of traveLthrough the mechanisms.Fig. 18 is a detail view showmachine. In theinvention in thepresentining the cutters for severing the leaves after stance it isproposed to avoid this objectionthe paper has been folded.

3o able feature to a considerable extent by so In several of the viewssome parts of the -80 constructing the folding mechanisms and somechanism are not shown for the sake of placing them relatively to eachother as to clearness. Such omissions are obvious and cause the sheet tokeep in its proper path of need not be particularly referred to. Alsotravel. as several features of the machine are com- The inventionconsists in. the novel con-v mon to the four different foldingmechan- 85struction, combination, and arrangement of isms they will bespecifically described only parts, such as will be hereinafter fullydein one instance and briefly alluded to in the scribed, pointed out inthe'appended claims, others. and illustrated in the accompanying draw- 7The frame supporting the several opera-' 4o ings. tive parts of themachine and their adjuncts 0 In the accompanyingdrawings, in which maybe of any description suitable in the similar reference charactersdesignate correpremises. In the presentinstance it consists spondingparts, Figure l is a plan view of a of the uprights A and thecross-pieces A, folding-machine embodying the invention. suitably joinedtogether. To the feeding-in Fig.2is a side elevation. Fig. 3 is an enendof the machine is hinged the table A larged detail sectional view on theline 3 8 and when it is raised its free-endissupportof Fig. 1, showingthe feed-rolls in contact. ed by the movable standard A On this ta- Fig.a isa similar view showing the feed-rolls ble the sheets of' paper areplaced preparaseparated. Fig. 5 is an elevation showing tory to beingfed into the machine.

the delivery end of the machine. Fig. 6isa The inclined table B of thefirst folding to:

mechanism is secured in the upper part of the frame with its highestedge adjacent to the feed-table A". It is divided by the opening or slotB, extending through its length. Through this opening slightly projectthe gripping-rolls B carried by the shafts B One of the latter isjournaled at its ends in the fixed bearings B and the other is journaledat its ends in the movable bearings Both the fixed and movable bearingsare mounted in the housing 13. The adjustment of the movable bearingsrelatively to the fixed ones is regulated by the rods 13, passingthrough the same and connected with the housings, and the nuts B turnedonto the ends of the rods outside of the bearings. Interposed betweenthe movable bearings and the housings and surrounding the rods are thecoiled springs B normally pressing the movable bearings toward the fixedones. The shaft journaled in the fixed bearings is driven by thebevel-gears i3, connecting it with the main driving-shaft S, and motionis conveyed to the shaft journaled in the movable bearings by the gearsB connecting the two shafts. The latter gears have elongated teeth topermit the separation of the rolls to the required extent.

Cooperating with the gripping-rolls is the folding-blade C, secured tothe rods 0, fitting in the sockets C of the arms C Setscrews areprovided for securing the rods in the sockets. By means of thisconnection with the arms the blade can be adjusted relatively to therolls. The arms C are mounted on the rock-shaft C and are oscillated bythe cam C on the auxiliar shaft C en agin b P7 with the lever C securedon the shaft 0'. (See Figs. 5 and 6.) A friction-roll C is interposedbetween the cam and the lever. The auxiliaryshaft C is rotated by thegears C", connecting the same with the shaft 13 journaled in the fixedbearings. The gripping-rolls are relatively adjustable to accommodatethem to the thickness of the paper that is to be passed between them. Inorder to secure a proper registration of the foldingblade with therolls, the former is adjusted on its arms so that when it descends itwill enter between the rolls at the proper place.

In front of the inclined table 13 and interposed between it and thehinged table A are the rolls D and D, respectively. The rolls D aremounted on the main driving-shaft S, and the rolls D are carried by theshaft D above the rolls D. The shaft D is journaled in the free ends ofthe arms D carried by the rockshaft D", journaled in the brackets D,attached to the frame. An arm D", secured to the rock-shaft, formingwith one of the arms D a bell-crank, carries a friction-roll D withwhich engages the cam D key ed on the shaft I)". The latter is rotatedby the gears D connecting it with the main,driving-shaft S. (See Figs.3, 4, and 7.) By means ofthe cam and the intervening mechanism the rollsD are intermittently raised and lowered while the machine is inoperation.

Carried by the shaft D are the hangers D and to the lower ends of thelatter is secured the bar D carrying the stops D. As the rock-shaft D ismoved up and down the stops are also moved. When raised, these stopsproject a short distance above the table B and gage the placement of thepaper preparatory to its seizure by the feed-rolls. The stops haveinclined sections D, bearing against the angle-plate D so that when theyare depressed they will be pressed into the annular recess D in therolls D, and when the stops are raised they will be moved away from therecesses. The position of the stops is such when they are raised theedge of the sheet of paper placed against them will extend over thelower rolls, so as to be engaged by the upper rolls when the latterdescend. The relative movements of the rolls and stops are such thatwhen the rolls are separated the stops will project above the surface ofthe table B, and when the rolls come together the stops drop below thesurface of the table.

Means are provided for guiding and holding the paper on the table Bpreparatory to its being folded. On the lower end of the table the stopsB are adjustably secured to limit the downward movement of the paper.The movement sidewise is limited by the gages B adjustably secured tothe stops B B. The inner faces of the gages B are beveled, so as toguide the paper to its proper position as it moves down the table. Toprevent the sheet from rebounding after striking the stops B blocks 13are adj ustably secured to the table near its upper end. These blockshave their upper faces beveled, so as to offer no obstruction to thepaper during its downward movement. As all of these severalstops, gages,and blocks are adjustable, the table can be adapted to receive sheets ofvarious sizes.

In passing onto the table if no provision were made to prevent it theedge of the sheet might strike against the upper end of thefolding-blade. To avoid this, a guard-block C is adjustably secured onthe rock-shaft D. This block is in line and in front of the blade and isinterposed between the latter and'the feed-rolls D and D. The movementof the rock-shaft is such that the guard-block moves with thefolding-blade. The under side of the block is beveled, so that the edgeof the paper on leaving the feed-rolls will pass under the same, andthereby be forced down, so as not to come in contact with the end of thefolding-blade. As the guard-block is adjustable on'the rock-shaft, itcan be moved when the folding-blade is moved, so as to be in line withthe latter. As the feed-rolls D and the guard O are actuated by the sameshaft D both will be moved simultaneously. When the rolls are raised topermit the introduction of asheet of paper, the guard is depressed tocatch the sheet should it accidentally pass the stops D Fingers O areloosely mounted on the rock-shaft D and also serve to guide the paperand to hold it down upon the table.

Beneath the table B is located the mechanism for making the second fold.(See Figs. 2 and 15.) The table E is secured in the frame with an edge.directly beneath and parallel with the gripping-rolls B of the firstfolding mechanism. The table is inclined downwardly from this edge, andextending longitudinally through it is the opening E. Through the latterproject the gripping-rolls E at right angles to the first pair BInterposed between the gripping-rolls B and the table E is the guide Efor turning the paper in the right direction as it leaves the said rollsand passes onto the said table. (See Fig. 12) The rolls E are mountedand operated substantiallyin the same way as the rolls B of the firstfolding mechanism. They are mounted on the shafts E respectivelyjournaled in fixed and movable bearings. The shaft in the fixed bearingdrives the other by the gears E and is driven by the shaft E, with whichit is connected by the universal joint E and the shaft E is driven bythe shaft E with which it is connected by the bevel-gears E The shaft Eis driven by the main shaft S through the bevel-gears E (See Fig. 7.)The rock-shaft E carrying the second folding-blade E is rocked throughintervening mechanism, as it is in the first instance, leading from theshaft E of the second pair of gripping-rolls, j on rnaled in the fixedbearings. The inclination of the table E is such that its lowest pointis the corner, as at E diagonally opposite the corner, as E, adjacent tothe upper end of the gripping-rolls of the first folding mechanism.Consequently when the folded paper passes onto the second table it willdrop toward the said lowest corner. To receive the paper and to hold itin place, the adjustable stops E and E are provided. These stops are soadjusted that the paper, which has been folded once, will be in positionto be folded a second time. After the paper is in place the secondfolding blade E decends and creases the paper and forces it between thesecond set of gripping-rolls,which fold it a second time.

Located beneath the table E of the mechanism for making the second foldis the mechanism for making the third fold. (See Fig. 16.) This lattermechanism is substantially the same as the former ones, except that thetable is smaller. The table F of the third folding mechanism is securedin the frame with an edge directly beneath and parallel with thegripping-rolls E Its lowest point is the corner F, and it is providedwith the stops F which are the same as those on table E. Itsgripping-rolls F are at right angles to the rolls E of the secondfolding mechanism and are parallel with the rolls of the first foldingmechanism. They are mounted and operated the same as the other rolls,and the shaft jour naled in the fixed bearings is driven by the shaft Fthrough the bevel-gears F and the shaft F in turn is rotated by thebevel-gears F connecting it with the shaft E (See Fig. 7.) Interposedbetween the rolls E and the table F is a guide F similar to the guide Eof the second folding mechanism. (See Fig. 12.) The folding-blade F isoperated in the same way as in the previous instances.

Under the table F are located a shunt-table G and the mechanism formaking the fourth fold. (See Figs. 13, 1 1, and 17.) Directly beneaththe gripping-rolls F of the third folding mechanism is the controller orswitch G for diverting the paper to either the shunttable or to themechanism for making a fourth fold. When three folds are sufficient,thecontroller can be turned to cause the paper to leave the machine overthe shunt-table. A handle G .is provided for turning the controller.

The construction of the mechanism for making the fourth fold is the sameas that of the preceding ones. An edge of its table H is locatedadjacent to and parallel with the gripping-rolls F Its lowest point, andtoward which the paper falls, is the corner H. This corner is providedwith the usual stops or gages H The shaft of its gripping-rolls H thatis journaled in the fixed bearings, is driven by the shaft H with whichit is connected by the universal joint H The shaft H is driven in turnby the shaft H through the bevel-gears H and the latter shaft is drivenby the shaft E through the gears H (See Fig. 12.)

When the paper reaches the fourth folding mechanism, several of itsleaves are connected at their edges. Tosever these leaves, rotary knivesH are mounted on the shafts of the rolls H so that when the paper passesbetween the said rolls the knives will cut the leaves, so that they canbe separated. (See Figs. 17 and 18.) The folding-blade H in thisinstance is operated in the same way as in the preceding ones.

Beneath the mechanism for making the fourth fold is the deliverymechanism. (See Figs. 8 and 12.) Under the rolls H is the receiving-boxI, and in the same is the flier I, mounted on the shaft 1 On an end ofthe shaft 1 is the arm 1 connected by the'pitman I with the crank 1 onthe shaft 1 of the gear 1 for driving the cam that operates thefolding-blade H When the folded paper drops from the rolls H in frontofthe fiier, it is thrown forward toward the mouth of the box.

The operation of the machine is as follows: It is assumed that theseveral parts of the machine have been adjusted to accommodate thesheets to be folded and that the machine is in motion and that thefeed-rolls D and D. are separated. A sheet, as X, is placed upon thetable A with an edge against the stops D The sheets so placed will be inthe proper position to be fed into the machine. As the feed-rolls cometogether the stops drop below &

the table and the paper is gripped by the rolls and is fed into themachine onto the table B of the mechanism for making the first fold. Asthe sheet travels down the inclined table it takes the positionindicated by dottedlines in Fig. 1. When it reaches this position, theblade C descends and creases it along a medial line and forces itbetween the grippingrolls B which seize it and fold it into two leavesof the comparative size of X, as shown in Fig. 10. As the folded paperleaves the rolls B it is turned by the guide E onto the table E inposition to be folded asecond time with four leaves of the comparativesize of X This is repeated by the third and fourth folding mechanismsuntil the sheet has been successively folded into eight leaves of thecomparative size of X and finallyinto sixteen leaves of the comparativesize of X. It finally passes 'into the box I, from which it can be takenby an attendant. It is to be noted that the several folding mechanismsare so close together and that the receiving-table of a succeedingmechanism is so close to the gripping-rolls of apreceding mechanism thatthere is but little chance of the paper escaping from its proper path oftravel.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secureby Letters Patent, is

1. In a folding-machine, gripping-rolls, a folding-blade cooperatingwith said rolls, means for feeding a sheet of paper between said bladeand said rolls, and a movable guard interposed between said feedmechanism and said blade to preventthe edge of the paper from strikingthe end of said blade.

2. In a folding-machine, relatively adj ustable gripping-rolls, anadjustable foldingblade cooperating with said rolls, means for vibratingsaid blade, mechanism for feeding sheets of paper between said blade andsaid rolls, and an adjustable guard movable with said blade to preventthe edge of the paper from striking against said blade.

3. In a folding-machine, an inclined table divided longitudinally by anopening, gripping-rolls registering with said opening, a folding-bladecodperating with said grippingrolls, mechanism for feeding sheets ofpaper between said blade and said rolls, and a guard interposed betweensaid feeding mechanism and said blade to prevent the edge of the paperfrom striking the end of the blade.

4. In a folding-machine, relatively adjustable gripping-rolls, anadjustable foldingblade cooperating with said rolls, mechanism forfeeding sheets of paperbetween said blade and said rolls, and anadjustable guard interposed between said feeding mechanism and saidblade to prevent the edge of the paper from striking the end of theblade.

5. In a folding-machine, an inclined table divided longitudinally by anopening, grippingrolls registering with said opening, a foldingbladecooperating with said rolls, stops mounted on the lower end of saidtable and adjustable longitudinally of the same, gages having beveledinner faces movably seon red to said stops and adjustable transverselyof said table, mechanism for feeding sheets of paper onto said tablebeneath said blade, and a guard interposed between said feedingmechanism and said blade to prevent the edge of the paper from strikingthe end of the blade.

6. In a folding-machine, an inclined table divided longitudinally by anopening, relatively adjustable gripping-rolls registering with saidopening, an adjustable foldingblade cooperating with said rolls,stopsmounted on the lower end of said table and adjustable longitudinally ofthe same, gages having beveled inner faces inovably secured to saidstops and adjustable transversely of said table, mechanism for feedingsheets of paper onto said table beneath said blade, and an adjustableguard interposed between said feed ing mechanism and said bladetoprevent the edge of the paper from striking the end of the blade.

7. In a folding-machine, an inclined table divided longitudinally by anopening, gripping-rolls registering with said opening, a folding-bladecodperating with said rolls, means for vibrating said blade, stopsmounted on the lower end of said table and adjustable longitudinally ofthe same, gages having beveled inner faces movably secured to said stopsand adjustable transversely of said table, mechanism for feeding sheetsof paper onto said table beneath said blade, and a movable guard movablewith said blade interposed between said feed mechanism and said blade toprevent the edge of the paper from striking the end of the blade.

8. In a folding-machine, an inclined table divided longitudinally by anopening, relatively adjustable gripping-rolls registering with saidopening, an adjustable foldingblade cooperating with said rolls, meansfor vibrating said blade, stops mounted on the lower end of said tableand adjustable longitudinally of the same, gages having beveled innerfaces movably secured to said stops and adjustable transversely of saidtable, mechanism for feeding sheets of paper onto said table beneathsaid blade, and an adjustable guard movable with said blade to preventthe edge of the paper from striking the end of the blade.

9. In a folding-machine, an inclined table divided longitudinally by anopening, gripping-rolls registering with said opening, a folding-bladecooperating with said rolls,stops mounted on the lower end of said tableand adjustable longitudinally of the same, gages having beveled innerfaces movably secured to said stops and adjustable transversely of saidtable, and means for feeding sheets of paper onto said table beneathsaid blade.

10. In a folding-machine, an inclined table divided longitudinally by anopening, gripping-rolls registering with said opening, a

faces beveled movably secured to said table near its upper 'end andadjustable longitudinally of the same, and means for feeding sheets ofpaper onto saidtable beneath said blade.

11. In afolding-machine, relatively adjustable gripping-rolls mounted onshafts respectively journaled in fixed and movable bearings, means forrotating the shaft journaled in the fixed bearings, gears connecting thecarried by rotatable shafts, means for rotating said shafts, arock-shaft, arms carried by shafts of the gripping-rolls, a rock-shaft,arms carried by said rock-shaft, a folding-blade adjustably carried bysaid arms and cooperating with said rolls, a lever secured to saidrock-shaft, an auxiliary shaft journaled adjacent to the shaft of thegripping-roll journaled in the fixed bearings, a cam mounted on saidauxiliary shaft and engaging with the free end of said lever tooscillate the same, and gears for conveying motion from the shaft of thegripping-roll j ournaled in the fixed hearings to the auxiliary shaftcarrying the cam.

12. In a folding-machine, gripping-rolls carried by rotatable shafts,means for rotating said shafts, a rock-shaft, arms carried by saidrock-shaft, a folding-blade carried by said'arms and cooperating withsaid rolls, a lever secured on said rock-shaft, an auxiliary shaftjournaled adjacent to the shaft of one of thegripping-rolls, a cammounted on said auxiliary shaft and engaging with the free end of saidlever to oscillate the same, and gears connecting the cam carrying shaftwith the shaft of the gripping-roll adjacent to it.

13. In a folding machine, gripping-rolls said rock-shaft, afolding-blade carried by said arms and cooperating with said rolls, alever secured to said rock-shaft, a cam rotated by the shaft of one ofthe gripping-rolls and engaging with the free end of said lever tooscillate the same, mechanismvfor feeding a sheet of paper between saidblade and said rolls, and a guard interposed between said feed mechanismand said blade to prevent the edge of the paper from striking the end 7of the blade.

14. In a folding-machine, gripping-rollsa movableguard interposedbetween said feed mechanism and said blade and movable with the latterto prevent the edge of the paper from striking the end of the blade.

15. In a folding-machine, relatively at.-

justable grippi'ng-roll's' mounted on shafts respectively journaled infixed and movable bearings, means for rotating said, shafts, arock-shaft, arms carried by said rock-shaft,

a folding-blade adjustably carried by said arms and cooperatingwith-said rolls, a lever securedto said rock-shaft, a cam rotated by theshaft of the gripping-roll journaled in the fixedbearings and engagingwith the free end of said lever to oscillate the same, mechanism forfeeding a'sheet of paper between said blade and said rolls, and anadjustable guard interposed between said feed mechanism and said bladeto prevent the edge of paper from striking the end of the blade.

16. In a folding-machine, relatively adjustable gripping-rolls mountedon shafts respectively journaled in fixed and movable bearings,means forrotating theshaft of the roll journaled in the fixed bearings, gearsconnecting the shafts of the gripping-rolls, a

rock-shaft, arms carried by said rock-shaft,

a folding-blade adj ustably carried by said arms and cooperating withsaid rolls, means for vibrating said blade, a lever secured to saidrock-shaft, an auxiliary shaft journaled adjacent to the shaft of theroll j ournaled in the fixed bearings, a cam mounted on said auxiliaryshaft and engaging with the free end of said lever to oscillate thesame, gears for conveying motion from the shaft of the roll journaled inthe fixed bearings to the shaft carrying the cam, mechanism for feedinga sheet of paper between said rolls and said blade, and an adjustableguard movable with said blade to prevent the edge of the paper fromstriking the end of the blade.

17. In a folding-machine, gripping-rolls, afolding-blade cooperatingwith said rolls,fixed and movable feed-rolls for feeding paper be- IIOtween said gripping-rolls and said foldingblade, and a guard movablewith'the movable feed-roll to prevent the edge of the paper fromstriking the end of said blade.

18. In a'folding-machine, gripping-rolls, a

folding-blade cooperating with said rolls, relatively movable feed-rollsfor feeding paper between said gripping-rolls and said foldingblade, amovable stop cooperating with said feed-rolls to limitthe introductionof the paper between said feed-rolls, means for moving said feed-rollstogether and simultaneously moving said stop out of the path of thepaper, and a movable guard interposed between said feed-rolls and saidfolding-blade to prevent the paper from striking the end of the blade. l

19. In a folding-machine, gripping-rolls, a

folding-blade cooperating with said rolls,fix ed and movable feed-rollsfor feeding paper between said gripping-rolls and said foldingblade, amovable stop cooperating with said feed-rolls to limit the introductionof the paper between said feed-rolls, a movable guard interposed betweensaid feed-rolls and said folding-blade to prevent the paper fromstriking the end of the blade, and means for simultaneously moving saidmovable feed-roll, said stop and said guard.

20. In a folding-machine, a fixed feed-roll, a rock-shaft, arms securedat one end to said rock-shaft, a shaft journaled in the free ends ofsaid arms, movable feed-rolls mounted on said shaft journaled in thefree ends of the arms and cooperating with said fixed feedrolls,gripping-rolls, a folding-blade cooperating with said gripping-rolls, aguard secured on said rock-shaft and interposed between said feed-rollsand said folding-blade to prevent paper from striking the end of theblade, and means for partially rotating said rockshaft.

21. In a folding-machine, a fixed feed-roll, v

a rock-shaft, arms secured at one end to said rock-shaft, a shaftjournaled in the free ends of said arms, movable feed-rolls mounted onsaid shaft journaled in the free ends of the arms and cooperating withsaid fixed feedroll, gripping-rolls, a folding-blade cooperating withsaid gripping-rolls, a guard secured on said rock-shaft and interposedbetween said feed-rolls and said folding-blade to prevent the paper fromstriking the end of the blade, means for partially rotating saidrockshaft, hangers attached to said shaft journaled in the free ends ofthe arms, and stops carried by said hangers for limiting theintroduction of the paper between said feedrolls.

22. In a folding-machine, aseries of folding mechanisms each comprisinga table divided longitudinally by an opening, gripping-rolls registeringwith said opening and carried by rotatable shafts, means for rotatingsaid shafts, a rock-shaft, arms carried by said rockshaft, afolding-blade carried by said arms and cooperating with saidgripping-rolls, a lever secured on said rock-shaft, and a cam rotated bythe shaft of one of the gripping rolls and engaging with the free end ofsaid lever to oscillate the same, the said folding mechanisms beingsuccessively arranged with their tables relativelyinclined and placedone below another with the upper edge of the table of a succeedingfolding mechanism adjacent to and parallel with the gripping-rolls of apreceding folding mechanism.

23. In a folding-machine, a series of folding mechanisms each comprisinga table divided longitudinally by an opening, relatively adjustablegripping-rolls registering with said opening and carried by rotatableshafts respectively journaled in fixed and movable bearings, means fordriving said shafts, a rock-shaft, arms carried by said rock-shaf t, afolding-blade adjustably carried by said arms and cooperating with saidrolls, a lever secured on said rock-shaft, and a cam rotated by theshaft of the gripping-roll journaled in the fixed bearing and engagingwith said 1ever to oscillate the same,the said folding mechanisms beingsuccessively arranged with their tables relatively inclined and placedone below another with the upper edge of the table of a succeedingfolding mechanism adjacent to and parallel with the gripping-rolls ofthe preceding folding mechanism.

24. In afolding-machine, a series of folding mechanisms each comprisinga table divided by a longitudinal opening, relatively adjustablegripping-rolls registering with said opening and carried by rotatableshafts respectively journaled in fixed and movable bearings, means forrotating the shaft of the roll journaled in the fixed bearings,'gearsconnecting the shafts of the gripping-rolls, a rockshaft, arms carriedby said rock-shaft, a folding-blade adjustably carried by said arms andcooperating with said gripping-rolls, a lever secured to saidrock-shaft, an auxiliary shaft journaled adjacent to the shaft of theroll journaled in the fixed bearings, a cam mounted on said auxiliaryshaft and engaging with said lever to oscillate the same, and gears forconveying motion from the shaft of the roll journaled in the fixedhearings to the auxiliary shaft carrying the cam, the said foldingmechanisms being successively arranged with the tables relativelyinclined one below another with the upper edge of the table of asucceeding folding mechanism adjacent to and parallel with thegripping-rolls of the preceding folding mechanism.

25. In a folding-machine, a series of folding mechanisms each comprisinga table divided longitudinally by an opening, gripping-rolls registeringwith said opening and carried by rotatable shafts, means for rotatingsaid shafts, a rock-shaft,arms carried by said rockshaft, afolding-blade carried by said arms and cooperating with saidgripping-rolls, a lever secured on said rock-shaft, an auxiliary shaftjournaled adjacent to one of the shafts of the gripping-rolls, a cammounted on said auxiliary shaft and engaging with the free end of saidlever to oscillate the same, and gears connecting said auxiliary shaftto the shaft of the gripping-roll adjacent to it, the said foldingmechanisms being successively arranged with their tables relativelyinclined and below one another with the upper edge of the table of asucceeding folding mechanism adjacent to and parallel with thegripping-rolls of the preceding folding mechanism, and a guideinterposed between the gripping-rolls of a preceding folding mechanismand the table of a succeeding mechanism.

26. In a folding-machine, a pair of inclined gripping-rolls, a tablewith an edge adjacent to and parallel with said gripping-rolls and withthe opposite edge depressed below said rolls so that said table isinclined in two directions from the horizontal, and stops on the lowerpart of said table to hold in place the paper fed onto said table bysaid rolls.

27. In a folding-machine, a pair of inclined gripping-rolls, a tablewith an edge adjacent to and parallel with said gripping-rolls and Vwith the opposite edge depressed below said rolls so that said table isinclined in two directions from the horizontal, and stops at rightangles to each other adj ustably mounted on the lower part of said tableto receive the corner of the paper-fed onto said table by said rolls andto hold the same in place.

28. In a folding-machine, a pair of inclined gripping-rolls, a tablewith an edge adjacent to and parallel with said gripping-rolls and withthe opposite edge depressed below said rolls so that said table isinclined in two directions from the horizontal, relatively adjnstablegripping-rolls registering with an opening in said table extending atright angles to the first-mentioned rolls, an adjustable folding-bladecooperating with said adj ustable gripping-rolls, and stops on the lowerpart of said table to hold in place the paper fed by the first-mentionedrolls onto said table between said blade and said adjustablegrippingrolls.

29. In a folding-machine, a pair of inclined gripping-rolls, a tablewith an edge adjacent to and parallel with said gripping-rolls and withthe opposite edge depressed below said rolls so that said table isinclined in two directions from the horizontal, relatively adlower partof said table to receive the corner of the paper fed by thefirst-mentioned rolls onto said table between said blade and saidgripping-rolls to hold the paper in place.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aflix my signature in the presence oftwo witnesses.

DAVID I. EOKERSON. Witnesses:

BIRNEY GOODENOUGH, J. S. WATERMAN.

